That's our President!

I've heard several people reference this particular article, and felt it deserved a place here as a reminder of just how much of a hypocrit George Bush truly is.

This segment is pulled from Talk magazine's September 1999 article written by Tucker Carlson.

In the week before [Karla Faye Tucker's] execution, Bush says, Bianca Jagger and a number of other protesters came to Austin to demand clemency for Tucker. "Did you meet with any of them?" I ask.

Bush whips around and stares at me. "No, I didn't meet with any of them," he snaps, as though I've just asked the dumbest, most offensive question ever posed. "I didn't meet with Larry King either when he came down for it. I watched his interview with [Tucker], though. He asked her real difficult questions, like 'What would you say to Governor Bush?' "

"What was her answer?" I wonder.

"Please," Bush whimpers, his lips pursed in mock desperation,"don't kill me."

Now, Karla Faye Tucker never said those exact words. Tucker Carlson mentions later that the Larry King-Karla Faye Tucker exchange actually didn't happen. What she did do was:

"...imply that Bush was succumbing to election-year pressure from pro-death penalty voters. Apparently Bush never forgot it. He has a long memory for slights.

"Which is part of the problem with Bush's presentation of himself as a man so "comfortable in my soul" that he hardly cares whether he wins or loses. Anyone who has reached the Zen-master level of self-acceptance he describes would be unaffected by ordinary criticism. It's still pretty easy to get a rise out of Bush."

And this article is written by a former CNN Crossfire co-host and right-wing conservative pundit who was the Sancho to Robert Novak's Don Quixote (You know him, even if you don't realize it. He's the man who revealed a CIA operative in print and has yet to face any repercussions for it.)

For a President who is supposedly so obsessed with life, let me present a little refresher course on his track record. Of course, the awful irony is that while he and his cronies scramble for recognition by religious zealots over this one case, no numbers have yet to come out as to how many cognizant people will be hurt and could even die under Bush's brutal cuts to Medicare, the safety net of health care programs, which will hurt the most vulnerable in our country—seniors in nursing homes, poor children, and those most in need of catastrophic care.

This doesn't even scratch the surface, though, of the men and women in uniform he's maimed and killed with his unnecessary war in Iraq. Not to mention the innocent people he's held in custody unlawfully and sanctioned torture against. *tsk tsk* That's not very Christian, is it?

In the realm of those who are truly doing God's will, and those who would likely have crucified Jesus, I hereby put George W. Bush at the top of the later list. He is a classic example of a man who claims his being religious makes him a moral man, when in reality it is used as a shield to hide the ugliness underneath.

Thoughts on Christianity

As Easter approaches and the last days of Christ are revisited in churches
across the country prior to his crucifiction, let us not forget just *who*
crucified him. It was not the sinners, the criminals, the sick or any of
the common populace. It was the religious 'authorities' of his time,
fearing for their own loss of influence who condemned him to death.

So blind and desperate was their grab for power that in the name of God they
crucified his Son.

It's a good thing to remember when so many claim they speak in *God's* name,
that motives must be questioned and deeds examined. If, couched within
their demands, a quest for power can be seen, then you are not in the
presence of a 'Godly' person, but more likely Jesus' executioners.

Another Quote of the Day

I've been finding an abundance of good quotes lately. This latest is in regards to the Republican's exploitation of the Schiavo case, and why the rest of America isn't impressed. A crude if ironic observation, especially considering that over half of the polled respondents had been involved in making a decision concerning the termination of life support for a friend or family member.

Bush may have been able to sell America on the Iraq War, because the overwhelming majority of Americans have never met a Muslim. But, by gawd, they do know about in-laws.

-- found on American Street

The passing of the torch.

This boy shouldn't have to face a future like this. Not for big oil. Not for a lie. People are being affected every day by the Bush Administration's bad decisions. It's time to hold them accountable for them.

Quote of the Day:

In other news, the Environmental Protection Administration is protecting polluters from public health considerations, the Food and Drug Administration is approving drugs that kill you, the Social Security Administration is trying to wreck Social Security, the Bureau of Indian Affairs is stealing native Americans' money, our diplomats are lying to our allies, and the House Ethics Committee (sic) has been packed with donors to Rep. Tom DeLay.

It makes you nostalgic for blow-jobs in the White House.

-- Courtest of MaxSpeak

And this is where people are finding their *values*?

How is this Christian? For shame, Catholics. Your hypocrisy is showing. Jesus would have buried this man. That I guarantee.

'Nuff said.

Wounded Soldiers? What Soldiers?

It is not just the 'Dover Test' that the government believes they will fail. They don't even want the press to see the wounded. The Bush Administration has a lot to be ashamed of. Our soldiers don't. Don't shuttle them covertly from place to place like they are lepers. They deserve better than that.

Logan 5 and Jessica 6 joined President Bush at a townhall meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, to finally unveil the details of Bush’s plan to save Social Security. Under the new scheme, family members would begin receiving benefits when the primary provider reaches age 30.

I just had to bring this picture and the caption beneath it over. It was just too priceless not to share (although this dates me that I know the movie). If you want to see where I found it, scroll down this link and you will find it.

For those of you unfamiliar with who the two people are in the background, they are from Logan's Run, a 1976 sci-fi movie whose plot outline at imdb reads as follows:

"Life is pretty near perfect now, as long as you don't mind that nobody is allowed to live past the age of 30..."

'Nuff said. Have a great weekend!

A little humor for those, like myself, who need it

For those of you who haven't heard, the bankruptcy bill passed, which means it is going to be even harder on middle and lower income Americans than ever before. I know Friday is normally Cat Blogging day, but I need a little humor *now*, so here you go. I hope you enjoy:

The following are purported to be actual lines out of U.S. Military OERs (Officer Efficiency Reports):

* Not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
* Got into the gene pool while the lifeguard wasn't watching.
* A room temperature IQ.
* Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together.
* A prime candidate for natural deselection.
* Bright as Alaska in December.
* Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming.
* So dense, light bends around him.
* If brains were taxed, he'd get a rebate.
* If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week.
* Was left on the Tilt-A-Whirl a bit too long as a baby.
* Wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead.

British Military Officer Fitness Reports

The British Military writes OFRs (officer fitness reports). The form used for Royal Navy and Marines fitness reports is the S206. The following are actual excerpts taken from people's S206 reports: His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of curiosity. This officer is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definitely won't-be. When she opens her mouth, it seems that this is only to change whichever foot was previously in there. He has carried out each and every one of his duties to his entire satisfaction. He would be out of his depth in a car park puddl e. This officer remindes me very much of gyroscope -- always spinning around at a frantic pace, but not really going anywhere. This young lady has delusions of adequacy. This medical officer has used my ship to carry his genitals from port to port, and my officers to carry him from bar to bar. Since my last report, he has reached rock bottom and has started to dig. She sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them. He has the wisdom of youth and the energy of old age. This officer should go far, and the sooner he starts, the better. Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap. This man is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.

Drilling in Alaska

As gas prices rise once again in the upcoming weeks, there is something I would like for you to keep in mind as you pay at the pump. First and foremost, if you are looking for someone to blame - let it be George W. Bush. Unfortunately, a primary contributor to the rising cost of oil in the world today is the United States, and more specifically, being caused by the war in Iraq.

The U.S.-led invasion has resulted in the loss of an average of 2 million barrels a day of Iraqi oil from world markets. That is a significant number with huge consequences for economies around the globe.

Oil prices stand at 20-year-high records with no relief in sight. Indeed, should the ongoing disruption of Iraqi oil exports be compounded with an interruption of production elsewhere — Russia, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela or any member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries — we could be looking at prices far above $50 a barrel, perhaps $60 or more.

Neo-cons went to war thinking Iraq could become America's own personal gas station, but that hasn't happened. The Bush Administration thought they could make Iraq pay for their own invasion and the subsequent rebuild, and that the United States could siphon off the profit.

With the gross mismanagement of the Iraqi War, the Bush Administration has managed to do completely opposite of what they intended. Instead of tapping Iraq's oil supply for themselves, they have destabilized the area enough that costs in neighboring regions are skyrocketing. Fear of terrorism is a major contributor to cost increases, and guess where the new hotbed of terrorism is? Iraq, of course.

Now Bush and his big oil cronies want to invade a small, 110-mile strip of coastline in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that will take ten years to bring to market and *might* satisfy about six months of our national demand. A refuge that is this country's last major unspoiled arctic ecosystem. Despite what Bush says, there are plenty of documented negative effects due to drilling on both wildlife and habitat.

More than 90 percent of the coastal lands west of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge have already been opened up to drilling, and yet despite claims by big oil companies that they can drill responsibly on Alaska's North Slope (and have done so in the past), spills are commonplace.

At the Prudhoe Bay oilfield just sixty miles west of the refuge, reportable spills of oil products and hazardous substances happen every day. In 1999 alone, these spills released 45,000 gallons of crude oil, diesel fuel, propane and ethylene glycol, among other toxic substances.

Oil is also release into the environment through leaks in the Trans-Alaskan pipeline system. Remember the Exxon Valdez spill? That was North Slope crude oil. In addition, North Slope oil and gas operations generate enormous amounts of waste - all of it exempt from hazardous-waste regulations because of a loophole in the law. As a result, millions of gallons of oily liquids and sludge, toxic brine and other wastes are dumped into open pits, frozen into the permafrost or simply discharged into the environment.

Think the oil companies will only tap one place in the center of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and leave everything else alone? Think again. The oil isn't easy to extract because it isn't in one resevoir - it is scattered in small accumulations. This means miles and miles of pipelines, wells, and roads. Experts say this kind of widespread development will massively scar the land with garbage, pollution, and oil runoff.

What was sold to the American people as an extension of our war on terrorism was based on a lie. Why Iraq? Because of the money, honey. It's always about profit. Big oil has had its eye on Alaska for a long time, and this time they have a President on their side.

Isn't it ironic that Bush's own failed attempts to control oil have allowed this opportunity for the Administration to try to give big oil what it most wants? We don't need more drilling. We need aggressive policies that eagerly works towards alternative energy. We need less SUVs on the road, and we need vehicles that get more miles to the gallon.

George W. Bush may look upon mile after mile of oil fields and think it's beautiful. The rest of America doesn't. Don't believe the lies. Don't let Bush strip America of a national treasure. Speak up and make your voice heard. Write and/or call your Congressmen (and women) today.

Sound Familiar?

Can we say "Social Security"?

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be lead to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.
H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)